The 22-year-old, who joined Gloucestershire on a rookie contract ahead of the 2026 campaign, has impressed the club's coaching staff with his development during his first season.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Rao previously progressed through the Somerset pathway before representing Loughborough UCCE and the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) Second XI.

His performances for SACA helped him secure his first professional contract with Gloucestershire.

Alongside his cricketing career, Rao continues to study at Loughborough University.

Despite suffering a back injury at the beginning of the 2026 season, the young bowler has made encouraging progress, earning the opportunity to continue developing his skills at the Seat Unique Stadium.

Speaking about his new contract, Rao said: “I'm really pleased to have signed an extension with Gloucestershire CCC.

“It's such a special place and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.

"I believe it's the right place for me to continue developing my skills and improving as a player.

“I'm incredibly grateful to all the supporters and everyone at the club for their continued backing, as well as my family for their unwavering support along the way.

“I'm thrilled to see what next year has in store for us as a club and can't wait to get going.”

Gloucestershire's director of cricket, Jon Lewis, praised Rao's potential and determination following his recovery from injury.

He said: “(Rao) has come back from a back injury at the start of the year and shown that he's got all the attributes of a really promising young fast bowler.

“We feel that by giving him an extra year, it gives him the opportunity to develop even further.”

"We'd love (for him) to become a really consistent fast bowler for us, and we see that there's a lot of talent and a lot of ability.

"With some hard work around his bowling and some really good support around that, then we feel that there's a really strong first-class cricketer in there." 

Rao will continue working alongside Gloucestershire's experienced players and coaching staff as he prepares for the 2027 season.